Overcoming E-Commerce Packaging Challenges

It happened fast, but holiday retail reports show that online shopping is the new normal. It’s now essential that a retailer practices careful and efficient E-commerce Packing.

However, there are many issues that can arise during an automated packaging process.  We recently conducted a webinar with Supply Chain Brain with Adam de Laveaga, Director of Solutions Engineering at Packsize. The webinar, titled “Solving the Packaging Problem in E-commerce: Linking Products, Processes and Automated Technology,” highlights the importance of E-commerce packaging in the retail environment.  E-commerce sales have grown 12 to 15% annually, but “even the largest retailers” are experiencing challenges with their packaging. In an exclusive to this blog, you can view the webinar in its entirety below!

Please fill out the form to watch the webinar

The webinar discloses obstacles that could be faced during three different processes that describe the moment the box is paired with the product order: Box First, Batch Box Last, and Non-convey Box Last.

With the Box First process, there is a moderate number of and limited variability in SKUs.  Various issues that could be encountered are sorting through paperwork and labeling, having a limited amount of carton sizes, and repackaging exception handling.

The Batch Box Last process involves variable cost per unit reduction and flexibility in the manner in which products are shipped.  This process features more arduous and time-consuming tasks that the employee must perform, such as paperwork, labeling and item/order validation. Like the Box Last process, there are limited carton sizes.

Finally, the Non-convey Box Last process is used more frequently.  This process is usually used for products that are overweight, large, hazardous, and/or fragile.  Because of the nature of the products that need more processing, some challenges that can arise are dealing with irregular shapes and sizes of products, as well as materials that need to be packed more tediously.  The packaging of non-conveyable box last items tends to be more labor-intensive and features limited carton sizes and styles.  Packers must also utilize more materials that help to protect the product during the shipping process.  If there are issues with these packages, the retailer could face damaged items and fees.

Fortunately for those in the E-commerce packaging business, there is a solution to overcome these obstacles. Packsize is the only company that provides full support for every aspect of your packaging process. The majority of this webinar details how Packsize can integrate with your supply chain and shows real examples from Packsize customers. This webinar is invaluable to those wanting helpful tips on E-commerce packing. 

If you have further questions on how Packsize can help your company, fill out the form below and contact us today!